Transforming Latino Gang Violence in the United States
The traditional response to gang activity in the United States has been to employ social control mechanisms and physical coercion to stop “anti-social” behavior. Similar efforts often come in the form of “get tough” strategies or anti-gang legislation focused on removing the “bad elements” so that the community can then develop in a healthy way. These traditional responses treat the fever of gang violence and not the underlying infection, and therefore, lack long-term effectiveness in promoting peaceful communities; the traditional responses need transformation. First we must understand and address the root causes of the violence. Law enforcement officials define a gang as a group gathered together on a continuing basis to commit “anti-social behavior.” Gang behavior is also referred to as “criminal” or “delinquent.” It is important to note that gangs are not inherently bad. In fact, gangs possess many positive characteristics. For instance, they encourage values such as mutual respect, acceptance, and the dedication to a common cause and way of being. Gangs are “anti-social” insofar as they are cultural outlets for youth to meet needs not otherwise met in “socially acceptable” ways. Gang delinquent behavior is a response to the structural violence of the society in which they live.